McConn Cottage

There is an adorable muggle home set into the hill over looking a bay in Northern Scotland. The roof is well thatched and neatly trimmed while the house is painted a lovely light red. Various flowers cling to the window sills and ivy grows up the walls. A neat little path trails off into a wood at the base of the hill and winds around a large oak tree, with a swing hanging from its thick branches.

Kiara stared at the cottage in awe, or was it still slight nervousness? she didn't know.

"Just breathe, won't do any good have an attack here" she thought to her self as she took a deep breath to calm her racing heart

Beside her she held on to Ciarans hand, as it shook slightly.. why was she so nervous?..

Ciaran bit his lip to keep from chuckling at his fiance. He could hardly imagine how it felt to be in her shoes. After all he had known Horatio all of his life and Eglantine...well, she had hardly...well, yes he did understand now. Swallowing himself, he wondered if Kiara thought his parents would accept her or if they would not like her.

"It'll be fine, love." he murmured. "Me parents will love ya. But remember, they're not magical folk and although they accept it, its a wee bit unfamiliar to em." Giving Kiara's hand a gentle squeeze, he knocked on the door.

The door opened after a brief pause to reveal a warm cozy interior that went well with the outside of the cottage. Ciaran's mother had bright red hair with streaks of grey through it. Laugh lines framed her pleasant mouth and her twinkling eyes seemed to exude joy.

"So ya finally brought the lass ta see us, aye?" Rachel exclaimed, happily, reaching out to take Kiara's hands in hers. "I'm a looking forward ta knowing ya better, but I can see we'll be getting on like sheep with the hay!" her plump cheeks glowed red as if she had been bending over a hot fire, and a gentle breeze brought the sweet smell of freshly baked bread to the door.

"Who'd it be?" Agnus called from the living room. Rachel hurried Kiara and Ciaran into the next room as if time could hardly wait. Agnus was happily seated in a low backed chair by the window. He had a few white hairs coming from his bald head, which stuck up straight as strings. A kind and well lined face was buried deep into a newspaper and his bare foot rested on a large brown dog.

Looking up, he smiled widely at the couple.
"Ara! Its a pleasure ta meet our son's salvation." he nodded, rising from the chair and rousing the dog. The large mutt yawned and whimpered as he rose to shaky legs.

Kiara smiled, as she was greeted by Rachel McConn, "It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. McConn, She said with the nodded of her head. Trying her best to look and sound calm.

Her mind was racing however... "Now what do I say??? ummm.. think Kiara, think..." she thought as she cursed her shy streak.

"Having a happy Christmas so far?" she asked.

When meeting Ciarans father, she blushed.. "Salvation?"

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you as well Sir" she said her heart rate finally starting to level off as she nodded her head in greating.

"Oh nonsense, darlin!" Rachel beamed. "I'm Rachel. Yar old enough ta call me be me first name." she smiled.
Agnus nodded, smiling politely, as he bent to scratch the dog's head.
"Lovely lovely." he murmured. "How is your yuletide?" he asked, obviously a man of few words, Agnus shook Kiara's hand and then motioned for his son to help her with her coat. Rachel beat him to it as she gently peeled Kiara's cloak off.
"Haven't seen one of these since me uncle visited last." Rachel commented, carrying the cloak to the closet.

Kiara laughed lightly "Thank you.... Mrs... um Rachal" she said softly when Rachal took her cloak. Underneath she wore a red turtle neck sweater and black dress pants. Her gold locket was hanging, visible on her chest.

"My Christmas is going wonderfuly, best Christmas I have had in years" she said with a smile and glance to Ciaran.

"Thank you for asking" she said

Agnus nodded, leading Kiara over to the nearby couch and then returning to his seat. Rachel bustled off to the kitchen and her humming could be heard through the open doorway. A roaring fire warmed the room from the fireplace.

The doorbell chimed and Rachel ran past those seated in the sitting area to open it. Instantly there was laughter and exchanged pleasantries in Gaelic as the older woman escorted a laughing red haired couple into the house. They were followed by two girls, one about 15 and the other 10 or 11.

"Kiara! This is Daven and his wife Ceara. And my granddaughters, Ciara and Enye." Daven nodded to Kiara, pulling off his snow coated overcoat. Smiling happily Ceara hurried to Kiara's side and pulled her into an embrace, kissing her cheek.

"I'm so very happy ta be meetin ya, Ara!" she giggled, nearly bouncing up and down on the couch. "Ciaran told us all about ya on the phone. And I have decided we'll be the very best of friends!"

Ciara came to sit beside her mother, while Enye ran after her grandmother to help in the kitchen.

"Your the Headmistress of Hogwarts, Ma'am?" Ciara asked, her eyes widening with wonder. Her mother smiled and turned to pat her daughter's knee.

The doorbell rang again and this time Ciaran rose to answer it. Daven took his seat and yawned as he leaned back.
"So how'd me brother hook ya?" he asked, receiving a good-natured glare from his wife.
"Yar manners, Davdav!" she protested.

Ciaran poked his head into the sitting room, a smile on his face. "Da, Daven... Argyle brought the pig, I'll be needin yar help!" Both men rose to head out the door.

A black haired woman, obviously very pregnant waddled into the house, shouting over her shoulder as the men carried in the wrapped pig. "Ya drop that and I'll be seein ya all roastin along with it!" she cursed in Gaelic as her husband rolled his eyes.

"You must be Kiara!" she smiled, heading over to Kiara, Ceara and Ciara on the couch. "Lovely to meet you! When are you marrying Ciaran anyway? And how do ya like Tavish. Lovely lad, isn't he now?" she gushed, patting Kiara's shoulder.
"I'm Lorna, by the way. Argyle is me man. And me bairns are unpacking the car." She pointed behind her as two red-headed boys hurried into the kitchen carrying bags and boxes.
"The oldest is Cameron, he's 9 and then there's Aloysious, he's 7. Little Sine is 4 and laddie Taggart is 2." An adorable child of four beamed up at Kaira from where she had hidden behind her mother.

"Lorna! Where is Taggie?" Argyle shouted from outside. The woman huffed, turning around to scream back at him.
"Yar suppose to be watching yar son!" Her husband could be heard grumbling in reply.
"Awful forgetful me man!" she stated, smiling at Kiara. "Could ya watch Sine, while I find me bairn?" without waiting for a reply, she pulled her daughter around and plopped her down in Kiara's lap.

Sine was a plumb preschooler with red curls and bright blue eyes. She was instantly fascinated with Kiara's locket and stared at it as if it might sprout wings.

Ciaran hurried back into the kitchen as his name was called and in the general ruckus of preparing the meal and tending to the various essentials, the sitting room was left empty save for Sine and Kiara.

Laughter came from the door after a brief moment and Horatio, Eglantine and a very happy looking Edwin entered the house. Eglantine was immediately Rachel's best friend despite her obvious confusion at so much attention and Edwin was spirited off by the older girls to play with.

A young toddler, who appeared to be all rosy cheeks and blue eyes toddled over to Kiara and Sine began to cry as she thought Kiara would put her down for her younger brother.

"Woman! Stop telling me how ta be doing it!" Some one roared, causing at least three females to chuckle. "I was a roasting pigs afore ya was born!"

(( I added a few things Merci, after I woke up and read through again I Kiara wanted to add a few things lol ))

Kiara smiled despite feeling a bit over whelmed, " It is a honor to meet you as well, and I will be loving to be friends of course. "she said softly.

She nodded to the two girls the at came up to her, and asked about Hogwarts, "Yes that is right, I am. Will you be going? and no need to call me ma' am dear, you can call me Kiara it is perfectly fine with me if you want" she said she said with a smile.

She blinked at Daven's question and laughed, but not really knowing how to answer,and trying very hard to keep the blush off her face for one.

"Ummm well...." thinking of how exactly... it was hard to answer as she thought about to the night on the astronomy tower. " I just happened I guess, had heart to heart and he captured mine. My heart decided it liked being in his possession" she said with a laugh.

Kiara laughed as the guys in the house went to get the apparent pig. She found the family interaction heart warming, yet very amusing at the same time. She was finding herself feeling more comfortable around the other McConns, they all seemed very nice.

She then turned to Lorna with a smile to answer her questions "A date hasn't been set yet, wanted to met all of you first before any decision was made. This did happen rather quick, so want to make sure everyone approved before we tied the not so to speak" she smiled more at the mention of Tav.

"I simply adore Tav, who couldn't? I think we are getting along wonderfully." she answered.

Then she saw the little girl poke her head out from behind her mother. "Hello there" she said to the 4 year old.

Kiara nodded as she put on watch duty for the 4 year old as her mother went off to look for her youngest.

She smiled at the little girl on her lap and allowed her to hold on to her locket, there wasn't anything she could do to it to harm it, so she wasn't worried. "You can hold it dear, do you like it?" she asked gently.

Then she smiled softly despite the tears that started coming from the girls face as another little one came over. "Now now, no need for tears honey" she said taking out a cloth and whipping the tears off her face.

Then she moved over with the little girl still on her lap. "Come on up, there is more then enough room" she said motioning for the seat right beside her and Sine as she offered her arm to the young child to help him up on to the couch.

She then chuckled from the shouts from outside, "I have a feeling this well be a Christmas eve to remember eh?." she muttered before returning her attention back to the two toddleres with her.

"Are you two excited for Christmas?" she asked with a smile.

In the orderly chaos that made up the McConn household at that hour, it was as if time had stopped for the three in the sitting room.
Sine was overjoyed when Kaira handed her the locket and she held it gently in her hands. "It pwetty!" she whispered.
After her tears had been dried and her brother, Taggie had been seated beside them on the couch, she handed the locket back.

Tav ran by the sitting room, waving to Kiara as he did so, obviously "running" an errand.
Both children nodded that they were excited about christmas. Taggie held up a teddy bear for Kiara to see with the name, Cuddles, sewn onto the tummy.
"I got a dwoll." Sine commented, trying to outdo her brother. "It willy big." Her arms parted to show it was as big as she could reach.

"Kiara! This is Uncle Ea." Rachel shouted above the crash of pots, pans and the sound of laughing voices. A rather withered looking man, about Rachel's age but with less fortune with fate in his appearance, nodded to Kiara. His hands shook violently from age and his cap clutched in his grip seemed to desire to jump from him.

"A pleasure ta be meeting ya." he nodded. Right after him were introduced Uncle Banagher and Aunt Avalbane, a married couple whose younger appearance suggested they may have been of the magical community. Both seemed enchanted to meet Kiara and instantly Avalbane scooped up Taggie, gushing and giggling over his rosy cheeks.

"So your the newest addition to the McConn's..." Banagher nodded, obviously happy as he pulled a pipe much like Horatio's from his pocket. "I'm Rachel's brother and Ea's brother and Uncle Horatio's nephew... so how's Hogwarts these days? Pleasant I hope."
Uncle Ea seated himself at Agnus' chair and seemed to vanish within its large arms.

"Whose the young lady that was coming with Horatio?" he asked, his thin eyebrows raising.
"No doubt a well bred Scottish lass, that one." Avalbane replied, bouncing Taggie on her knees. "She spoke the old Scottish as if she'd learned it from a nymph. And what a lovely name."

"She's too young for him." Banagher protested, he himself by muggle standards at least in his 70s. "When did Horatio become a cradle robber?"

Avalbane huffed, waving her hand at her husband. "She's older then ya be thinking, Ban."
Horatio entered the sitting area and sat at the only left place on the couch, oblivious to the conversation that continued about Professor DeLanquar's possible age and heritage.

"Enjoying yourself, Kiara?" he asked, patting Sine's red head.

Agnus and Daven were obviously having a mock duel in words over who to bast the pig and Larna was hardly a gentle stand-by. Ciara and Enye were in love with Edwin who thought it was simply dandy to have two girls fighting over him and took great delight in acting younger than his years.

Eglantine had adopted a silence that seemed to only encourage Rachel and Ceara as they talked to her and about her right over her head in a jumbled array of Gaelic mixed with English. She nodded every now and then.

Tav, Cameron and Angus Jr. were having a fine time playing both inside of the house amid running to do odd jobs and throwing snow at each other outside.

Kiara smiled and nodded to Sine, "That it is" she said. She waved back at Tav as he ran by, it certianly was a husle and bustle around tis house at Christmas, but joyus all the same.
Looking a the little bear Taggie showed proudly she chuckled he was so cute. "It is a wonderful Teddy Bear, be sure to take good care of it eh? " she said.

She smiled at Sine, she was adorable. "Oh wow... it sounds like a very nice doll, have you named her yet?" she asked.

Kiara nodded politely and smiled to the aunts and uncles that came in.

"It is a honor to meet you as well, you can call me Kiara if you wish" she said form her seat on the couch.

She smiled at Banagher, "Yes.. well soon to be McConn anyway yes"

She eyed the pipe in the mans hand warily before closing her eyes for moment and a placed a protective spell over herself to ward off then smoke that may drift her way.

Kiara laughed slightly at the question o Hogwarts, "It is never boreing in a dull moment, I love being there though" she said.

Her ears perked up at the talk about Eglantine and her age and being with Horatio.

"Eglantine and Horatio are made for eachother, trust me, there age difference hold little to no grounds with them. Besides I do believe my mother is planty old enough to decide whom her loves...." she said defending her parent figures but still the firendly tone in her voice.

When Horatio walked in her smile widened, "Oh yes I am having a wonderful time Horatio, this will most deffinatly be a christmas for my Pesieve" she said with a nod, she was greatly enjoying her self and getting to know her near future in laws.

Sine shook her head at Taggie. "He'll rwuin it!" she stated, sitting up straighter. She nodded at Kiara's doll question.
"Her name is Dwolly! Afer the movie Hewo Dwolly." each word was carefully said to be certain Kiara understood it.

Uncle Ea nodded, at Kiara's return in greeting. Banagher on the other hand, snorted.
"She's got good manners! But she's as Scottish as the fish in Merica's pond. More Asian, I'd say." he nodded.
Avalbane rolled her eyes, reaching out to pat Kiara's knee.

"Ya pay him no mind, Lassie." she murmured, hitting her husband with a nearby newspaper. "She is no Asian, ya old coot! Ya say yar sorry or I'll have ya walk home!" The older man chuckled softly and nodded in apology to Kiara.

Horatio chuckled in resonse to Kiara. "That is the truth, my dear. My family growing up was much the same only larger. They all love each other though."

Uncle Ea nearly from his chair. "Her mother she says!" his squeaky voice exclaimed. "That would be making Horatio dating a niece. Good gracious!"

Avalbane thwacked Ea with the newspaper. "Oh hush up! I'm for one glad he found a woman ta be loving him." She winked at Horatio who chuckled.

"I'm glad to hear that, Kiara. I only wish Eglantine was enjoying herself as much. She looks...dazed." he murmured, mirth flaming in his eyes.

Kiara chucked "That is a lovely name for your Doll dear, I am sure she is wonderful" she said happily to the little girl.

Kiara chuckled at the banter between them, although she was a bit confused by what they ment by Horatio was dating a neice.. how would that work?

"Asian? now there is some I haven't been call ever before... But he is right I am not Scottish. Eglantine is my adopted mother, my birth mother was amercian, my father was british..." she exlplained.

"Perfectly alright Sir... forgive me I am rather protective" she said she said in a quiet tone.

Kiara smiled and nodded, "it is a bit overwelming in here, and she speak so softly it is hard for her to be heard over the noise any way" she said. "Perhaps over dinner it will help her open up" she said.

"What about you Horatio? haveing a blast as useual?" she asked with a laugh.

"Ah! An American dame." Uncle Ea nodded, smiling. Avalbane rolled her eyes.

"He's way behind in erthing, love." she murmured to Kiara. "I'm happy he wasn't a coming on a horse and baggy." She laughed happily as she carried Taggie into the kitchen.

Horatio chuckled.
"Ea is just about as lovable as men come, Kiara. His poor wife, Marlene died two months ago and he still thinks she's alive...poor man. If you ever hear him talk to her or refer to as another woman as Marlene, just humour him."

He nodded at her assessment of Eglantine and his having fun. "Our Eglantine would never open up, but she may relax... And I am having as much fun as is possible. Eglantine and you are here, which only adds to my happiness at being with family and soon we will eat!"

Banagher left the room to locate the loo and Ea allowed Ciara to led him outside.

"TIME TO EAT!!!" Tav screamed, running through the house. There was a general reply of pleasure and the ladies of the McConn family filed out of the house to set their platters, plates, bowls and tins of hundreds of tasty morsels.

"Are ya going?" Sane asked, looking up at Kiara. Horatio had already climbed to his feet and was busily puffing at his pipe.

Outside a large table had been set up with twenty-one places, which Agnus at the head of the table. The large roast pig was in the centre of the table and various other roasted lambs, ducks and chickens were scattered about. Amid the cups, plates and various eating utensils, which were all neatly placed, there were dishes of hot rolls, creams, gravies, soups, desserts, vegetables and many other hot and cold treats.

Kiara looked on in sypathy and some slight concern at the news of the older mans wife, but she nodded all the same.

"I will" she said quietly.

Kiara smiled to what Horatio said, "I am glad you and Eglantine could come Horatio." she said.

She laughed slightly as Tav energetic ran through the house calling everyone to dinner.

Smileing down at Sane she nodded, "Yes sweety I am coming" she got up still carryiing Sane with her.

She stared in awe at the elaboratly set table, she only seen tables like that that rivaled Hogwarts.

"wow" she said.

She remained where she was at the moment as she didn't know where she was supposed to sit.

Rachel escorted Kiara to a seat between Ciaran and Horatio. At the head of the table, Agnus sat with Rachel's seat to his right. His brother, Uncle Ea sat to his left. Ciaran, being the eldest son, sat to the right beside on his mother. Kiara sat after him along the right side. After her came Horatio, and then Eglantine, Edwin, and Tav. Devan and Ceara sat beside them along with their two daughters, Ciara and Enye. After Enye came, Argyle and his wife, Lorna. Their children Cameron, Agnus, Sine, and Taggart. After them came, Uncle Banagher and Aunt Avalbane.

After a quick grace, the family dug into their feast amid boisterous conversation and intense gossip.

Kiara began to eat, not at all sure what to say about the chatter going on around her. Not that she wasn't used to it, meal time at Hogwarts was always noisy with the many voice talking about their days.

She almost sommoned a tea pot to her self but she managed to catch her self in time. She had been living as a part of the magical world for so long it was no apart of her everyday life, she had to think not to use it.

"Could someone pass the Tea pot please?" she asked looking down the large table to try and spot where it was.

Horatio levitated the requested item to the clapping and wonder of the muggles in the family...which happened to be almost everyone.
He chuckled leaning over slightly to whisper to Kiara. "Do not do anything like that yourself though... I the old coot of a wizard, it wouldn't be best if you became a young witch in their eyes."

Eglantine seemed lost in the conversation as much as Kiara, only she seemed to except it and ignore it, instead of looking about taking her time to keep Edwin's mouth clean, despite his desire to slop food from his forehead to his chin.

Rachel and Agnus began to discuss farm pigs as opposed to city pigs and soon Uncle Ea joined in. Ciara and Lorna began to gossip about an unknown cousin's new boyfriend and within several moments, most of the women at the table were pulling the thankfully not present girl apart.

She nodded and smiled to Horatio, accepting the Tea pot and pouring it into her cup.

Then she whispered to Ciaran, "They all do know I am a witch right? she asked. She assumed they all did, concidering afew of the family members present went to Hogwarts, including Ciaran himself.. and his late wife Megan.

As for the gossip going on around the table, she felt sorry for the unknown girl that was being talked about, since she didn't know who they were talking about she turned it out, and continued eating in silence, until she was spoken to.

Ciaran bit his lip at Kiara's question. "Well, Ara..." he returned, slightly hesitant. "Some of em know, but they like ta be forgetting things like that..." He did not add that the family gathered about Kiara was only a small portion of the McConn family. It was mostly muggle... the magical threads in it coming through his mother's side.

"Don't ya think she was daft?" Lorna all but shouted at her sister-in-law, Ceara. The other woman nodded, giggling as her husband whispered something to her. The conversation had already shifted to yet another cousin, who had stupidly moved from Scotland...

Kiara nodded, " I see" she said taking a sip of her tea. She was feeling slightly nervous again. After gradutaing Muggle high school and going in to Auror training she mother had basicly disowed her, and she in turn turned her back on the muggle world. Her whole life was in the magical world now, what could she really tell them about her self without revealing she was a witch.

What would happen if they did find out who, what she was, would they gossip about her much like they were doing to the unknown girl?

This was all very nerve wracking.

Sighing she took up a peice of food and begain to eat. Not entirely sure what she could say to that.

Both Ciaran and Horatio noticed that Kiara appeared uneasy with the answer to her question...however neither knew exactly how to comfort her.

Ironically Rachel choose that moment to change the subject.
"Kiara dear, I hear ya teach." she began carefully skirting about the fact that Kiara was the headmistress of Hogwarts. "How long have ya been doing that?" Both Lorna and Ceara stopped gossiping to listen for the answer and even Uncle Banagher shushed for a moment.

Kiara froze at the question breifly and quickly wracked her brain for an answer. What to do... if she said yes to the question someone would ask what she taught or where she taught. She quickly tried to mugglize her answer as best she could. Yet she didn't want to lie through her teeth.

"I am the Head to the school actually, I was asked to take the postition about a year ago. Before that I was mainly in law enforcement" she said.

Rachel nodded, seemingly intrigued. Agnus even grunted between his bites of pork.
Rather than an awkward series of questions and/or silence, Lorna immediately launched into how much work it was running anything.

All present, save the younger children, nodded in agreement and a chorus of "aye's" rang though the air.

Kiara smiled and nodded not wanting to press her luck on anyone asking for details. If they did she would of course answer as best she could, there was many aspect of her career she could make sound muggle now that she thought about it.

She took a deep breath trying to relax agian, before once agian taking another bit of food.

Dinner soon faded into picking up the dishes and carrying them in to wash. This of course was done by the ladies, and before Kiara or Eglantine could say anything, they were told to relax and enjoy themselves.
It was at that moment that Eglantine finally made her way over to Kiara, her wheelchair charmed to be lighter than it normally would be...
"Enjoying yourself, lieb?" she asked.